Could this be F1's first female driver?

Formula 1 is often criticised for being too male dominated, sexist and a sport that is no turn-on to women in any form. Would this view change if the motor-sport gained a female driver?

American IndyCar driver Danica Patrick is one such driver who has been tipped for the very top in the motor-sport world. Competing in the Series since 2005 and currently racing in her third season with the Andretti Green racing team, Patrick's name has started to be thrown around the Formula 1 circuit as a possible driver for the new USF1 team that will debut in 2010.
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However, USF1 team principal Peter Windsor ruled out Danica's involvement with USF1 in 2010 revealing that he believes the IndyCar racer would be "too big" for the American outfit.
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A high number of American drivers such as, former Torro Rosso racer Scott Speed, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch as well as Danica Patrick, have been linked with a seat at the debut team since stating that home grown talent is the target for the team and key to long term success.
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Despite this, the trio have played down talk of any move to the new team.
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Danica Patrick though is a name that refuses to go away as her current deal with the Andretti Green team expires at the end of the 2009 season. Windsor though belives that Patrick would be more likely to join the NASCAR Series as expectations in F1 would be too high.
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He told Sports Illustrated that "Danica is too big for us now. For her to do Formula 1, it's a huge commitment at this stage of her career and her expectation level would be very high"

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Windsor did however admit that he found it 'unbelievable' that Partick's performances in America had not earned her the chance to test an F1 car. Danica was scheduled to have a test with Honda at the end of the 2008 season, however it was called off due to the Japanese team's pull out.
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"You could argue she's probably the best placed American in the Premier single-seater American Championship right now. Yet not one F1 team in the last three years has bothered to give her even a test. I find that unbelievable"

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USF1 are currently looking at the prospect of an experienced driver partnering a rookie from America to begin life in Formula 1 in just seven months time. Austrian driver Alexander Wurz has been widely tipped to join the fledgling team and make his fourth career return to the motor-sport after beginning life with Benetton back in 1997. Despite this team bosses have insisted the ultimate aim will be to have an all-American partnership in the future.

"This team is about helping young Americans as much as it is about anything else"

With news over the weekend that approaches from high standing GP2 drivers had been turned down by Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson over a matter of principle rather than going for the money their sponsorship would bring to the team, it may only be a matter of season's before Danica Patrick does drive for USF1 and the this level of motor-sport see's it's first female driver.

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Images from thebsreport.files.wordpress.com and grandprix.com

Sauber rescue bid fails

Peter Sauber has failed with a rescue bid to save the team and pointed the blame straight at BMW.

The 65-year-old Swiss still holds a 20% stake in the team after selling Sauber to BMW in 2005. When BMW revealed they were to pull out of F1 eight days ago, (BMW Sauber to pull out of F1), the former team owner launched a bid to save the team in order to keep the car on the grid in 2010 and jobs of workers in the factories.

It's understood that Sauber had hoped to complete negotiations ahead of yesterday's deadline to sign the new Concorde Agreement (sixth version).

Sauber today revealed that talks broke down due to BMW's demands being too high, remarking that it was the bitterest day in the businessman's forty years in motor sport.

"I am incredibly disappointed and disconsolate. It is a devastating setback for the team. Other solutions must now be sought. The responsibility for that lies in the hands of BMW"

Twelve teams have already signed the Concorde Agreement and are cleared to compete in next season's Formula 1 World Championship (This includes the nine teams competing in this years title race and three new teams that make their debut next year). The only signature now missing is that of BMW.

A statement from BMW team boss, Mario Theissen blamed the short amount of time the team was given to find a suitable investor that would keep the car on the grid in 2010

"We have done everything in our power to reach a rapid agreement on the sale of the team. Regrettably, despite every effort, this has proved unsuccessful"

"The tight time-frame we faced simply did not allow us and the interested parties and investors enough time to find a solution for such a complex transaction"

"The aim now is, over the coming weeks, to find a solution together with potential interested parties and Peter Sauber"

There is currently still a space open on the 2010 grid, a huge question mark now hangs over the future of a Sauber racing team where the likes of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen started their F1 career's almost ten years ago.

And, with possible investor's like Nelson Piquet senior now playing down their interest in investing in the team, could the final nail in the coffin for the Sauber racing name come at the Abu Dhabi circuit in November?

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Images from grandprix.com and bbcnews.co.uk

"F1 will return to Canada" - Ecclestone

Le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will return to the Formula 1 calender for 2010 after the grand prix took an exodus from race precedings this year.

There's a lot been going on and off the track this mid-season break and what with Piquet Jr finally being given the boot by Briatore and Schumachers possible on/off return, we begin to look ahead to the 2010 season already before a 2009 champion is even near to being crowned.

F1's Commercial rights-holder, Bernie Ecclestone stated that an agreement had been reached for the Canadian Grand Prix to return.

Ecclestone told Swiss magazine, Motorsport Aktuell yesterday that the potential deal would keep F1 in Montreal for at least the next seven years.

A formal agreement has yet to be reached, but with the deadline for the 2010 calendar to be finalised fast approaching, it's thought the deal will be concluded in the coming weeks.

Despite this, Montreal's Mayor, Gerald Tremblay has told Canadian media that negotiations are still ongoing and that Ecclestone has not yet offered his previous offer - the main reason why the race is missing from this years list.

It was reported that 175 million was sought by F1 officials to keep the race in Montreal for 5 years, a figure the city's Government declared was too much.

Whatever happens it is clear that with no grand prix in North America this year F1 has been left with a gaping void that could only be filled with a return to the Continent sooner, rather than later. It appears the former now looks to be on the cards.

It's thought that Ecclestone has come under sever pressure this year from sponsors and teams to re-instate a race in North America as both miss out on a key market to target.

A return to Canada will also see teams and drivers face up against the feared "Wall of Champions" that has ended race weekends for drivers such as Hill, Schumacher and Alonso in recent times.



However in the same interview Ecclestone ruled out a return to the Indianapolis Speedway circuit in the United States that has been off the calender since the last race in 2007, where Lewis Hamilton took his second career win.

In a blunt sum up Bernie said "Forget Indianapolis. We're not going back there"

However with American constructor USF1 lining up on the grid for 2010, I can't see it being too long before the United States hosts another race, whether it be at Indianapolis or not. All eyes on 2012 maybe?

In other track news for next season, it's been confirmed that Donington Park have stepped up their efforts to ensure they stage next year's Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Simon Gillett, CEO of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd has turned to businesswoman Jayne McGivern, credited with turning around the Wembley Stadium project when it ran into trouble, to ensure that Donington Park is ready to host the race next year.

If it's not ready, then Silverstone have already made it clear they are ready and waiting to mop up fans and host again in 2010.

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Suggestion also came came out today from Eccelstone that Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps circuit and Germany's Nurburgring (formally where the European Grand Prix was held, before it's move to Valencia last year) could alternate for a single annual event.

Spa boss, Andre Maes bit back via the Belgian media later on by pointing out that the circuit has a contact to hos the race annually until 2012.

Would a bi-annual race actually work? How upsetting would it be if you turned up the wrong year? Personally I would pick Spa over Nurburgring any day. Hosting such classics's as in 1998 when Damon Hill lead a Jordan one-two in the wet cast in the memory and the velocity of racing up and down the hills, through the forest settings, it's one no grand prix fan should be denied any year!

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Images from canpages.ca/blog (pic from stefike 13) and robertbonnett.wordpress.com, Video from youtube.com supplied by Motorsports45

Schumacher return in doubt?

After all the hype that has been slowly building since it was announced last week that seven-time World Champion would return to the grid at the Valencia street circuit at the end of the month, news sources are today circulating that "a lingering neck injury may prevent Michael Schumacher from making his sensational return"

Motorsport.com is reporting that the German driver is still suffering from the effects he sustained when testing a German Superbike in February. Schumacher came off the bike at the Spanish track and was hospitalised after the fall, forcing the 40-year-old to miss 100 days before he could return to the saddle.

Last week Ferrari warned that Schumacher would only return if the driver was able to pass a series of medical checks and get through an intense training regime.

Given the G-forces exerted on the neck during the course of a Grand Prix weekend, Schumacher knows how vital it will be to withstand the stresses and strains that will be placed upon him, and that's not counting the Ferrari fans already expecting glory.

Schumacher has already been back in action, taking to the track last week in Ferrari's 2007 model of the car, completing 70 laps at the team test circuit in Italy.

The 40-year-old commented via his official website soon after that his neck "pinches abit" adding that "We have to get a grip on that as health is a priority - that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari, with my wife too"

Spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm told German television ZDF that Schumacher's return "depends on medical investigations"

"It's not quite certain yet that his neck will hold and the comeback can be started"

This news will no doubt come as a blow to a majority of fans in F1. Since the announcement of Schumacher's return last week bookies around the world have slashed odds for the German driver to add to an already impressive win record of 91 in remaining races this season.

For now it seems fans, especially those in red, have returned to wishing and hoping.

Piquet lifeline?

Less than 24 hours after Nelson Piquet Jr was released of his contract from Renault it looked as though the Brazilian drivers career in F1 was over. Or is it?

Could a lifeline come in the shape of his father and a new drive in place of the soon to be de-funked BMW Sauber?

According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo Nelson Piquet Sr is one of the candidates in the running to take over the ownership of the Peter Sauber team. Since BMW announced it's pull out from the sport last week, (BMW Sauber to pull out of F1), a number of investors have already confirmed their intention to buy the German manufacturer's stake in the outfit.

Three time World Champion, Nelson Piquet is rumoured to be in talks with the Swiss based team that are well advanced and close to an outcome. It's understood the former World Champion who battled with the likes of Ayton Senna, Alan Prost and Nigel Mansell to win his final title in 1987, is eyeing a partnership with Super Nova GP team chief David Sears.
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Brazilian media sources also suggest that a deal has already been agreed with a Ferrari engine suppler and that, Malaysian Oil Company, Patronas will keep it's sponsorship and could possibly become a shareholder in the team.

With Bernie Eccelstone said to have shown approval towards the deal, Piquet and any other investors will have to move fast as Epsilon Euskadi team principal Joan Villadelprat has also been linked with replacing the BMW team on the grid for 2010.

If Piquet Sr does return to F1 he will be the first Brazilian in 27 years to represent the country in the sport with a team. The last time South America was represented was with the Fittipaldi brothers who competed in the World Championship from 1975 to1982.

A return to the sport might not only see a Sauber-Piquet car, but also a quick return to the grid for Nelson Piquet Jr who, as the younger driver put it in a statement, yesterday "executed" from the Renault team after a succession of poor performances.

If the deal does go through, Piquet Jr will surely have a guaranteed seat for 2010 as it would be very unlikely his father would leave his son in the Formula 1 wilderness.
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Images from http://www.fasttraknews.com/, www.flickr.com/photos/glediator, www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2008.

Renault sack Piquet

Brazilian driver and son of former three time world champion, Nelsinho Piquet Jr has today been officially sacked by Renault.

Piquet broke the news to his fans via his twitter messaging service at about 4:30pm GMT this afternoon.

In a statement on his website Piquet said... "I have received notice from the Renault F1 team of it's intention to stop me driving for them in the current F1 season. I want to say thanks to the small group who supported me and that I worked with together at Renault F1"

Piquet stressed in the statement that he was obviously disappointed at the news but at the same time happy to be leaving the team.

"I feel a sense of relief for the end of the worst period of my career, and the possibility that I can now move on and put my career back on the right track and try to recover my reputation of a fast, winning driver" (Click here to read full statement)

This news won't come as any surprise to F1 fans around the world and is something I even predicted just two races into the 2009 season. (Who should stay and who should go?) A continued bitter and distant relationship between the young driver and team manager Flavio Briatore has been widely reported, particularly in his native Brazil.

The Brazilian was expected to preform well at last weekends Hungarian Grand Prix and pick up at least a point in a season that has so far yielded none.
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Piquet had often complained throughout the season that because he was the number two driver he was being treated unfairly in not getting the same up-grades as teammate Fernando Alonso. For the race in Hungary his car was fitted with the same features and specification as Alonso for the first time in 2009. However Piquet could only manage an uncompetitive 12th place finish, while Alonso, who started from pole, retired when his wheel came lose after a crocked pit-stop.
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Televison pictures caught Italian team principle Briatore leaving the Hungaroring, briefcase in hand and a look of disgust on his face after Fernando Alonso was forced to retire sustaining suspension damage from the lost wheel, despite the fact Piquet was still running.

Since then an already sour relationship between Piquet and Briatore appeared to hit rock bottom with the Brazilian driver responding to comments made by Briatore to an Italian magazine last week when the team principle commented, that he didn't believe the 23-year-old had what it takes top be a great F1 driver.
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Piquet argued that all the Italian cared about was money rather than racing. "Flavio is a business man, but he doesn't understand sh*t about F1. He's my manager, but in his role of team boss he doesn't respect me. He only thinks about money."

Renault test driver, Romain Grosjean has been waiting in the wings of the team garage all season and is thought to be the number once choice to replace Piquet whether at Valencia or Spa (depending an ongoing appeal on a ban handed to the team after Hungary)

The French driver won the 2008 GP2 Asia series and currently lies second in this season's main GP2 series driving for Spanish constructor Barwa Addax. Ironically the man he looks to be replacing in the Renault seat also came second in the GP2 series a year before graduating up to F1, losing out on the title to World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

If Grosjean does make the jump up to F1 for the remainder of the season he will be the second rookie to do so after the introduction of Spaniard Jaimie Alguersuari who replaced Frenchman Sebastian Bourdais for the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend, again in relation to poor performances.

The Pressure on the youth of F1

With another young prospect shown the door in 2009 before a career has even had a chance to get started questions will no doubt start to be asked about the age and experience these guys have and whether too many are taking the step up too early, something Martin Brundle eluded to when commentating last weekend.

However, all sports around the world today are dominated by youth over experience. As we have seen with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alsonso, there have been some success stories of youngsters taking the reigns and gaining the experience on the track quickly. At the other end of the spectrum you have Bourdais and Piquet with more sure to follow in their wake.

There is no doubt that every driver in F1 is there because they are the best at what they do! So whats the problem? Are drivers like Boudais and Piquet the washouts?

Quite possibly, but you must also look at the expectation of the teams and the people behind these young men that are constantly in their ear.

The pressure was always going to be on Bourdais and Piquet this season because of their team mates results.

Bourdais spent most of last season in the shadow of a man in the running for this years world title, and after Sebastian Vettel got his maiden win at Monza last year people behind the scenes at Torro Rosso were no doubt asking why Bourdais couldn't deliver the same in 2009. Meanwhile Piquet, as well as living up to his fathers name, was realistically never going to be able to out drive the quality of double world champion Fernando Alonso week in week out whether he had the same car or not.

Combine this with the favouritism of one driver that has dominated this sport for decades, something Renault team principle Flavio Briatore is famous for and you can understand why drivers let their heads drop and don't deliver the performances that are expected of them. Did Piquet ever really have a look-in over Alonso during his Renault career?

You look at the examples of Hamilton and Vettel who have the arm of the team, at times constantly around their shoulders looking after them, then the pressure doesn't seem as great.

Ron Dennis took special care and interest in Lewis Hamilton throughout his graduation and rise up the ladder to F1, helping to make him the driver he is today. Could things have been different for Piquet under a different team boss?

Following today's dismissal, that, lets face it has been all season coming, I can believe Nelson Piquet when he says's he didn't get the attention or support he deserved. It's the younger drivers in F1 that need the most support and attention to ensure they make it and it's the teams duty to look after their drivers.

If, as Piquet said in his statement, Flavio Briatore was his "executioner" then I feel very sorry for Romain Grosjean who will now fill the shoes of the Brazilian. All eyes will now be on the 23-year-old Frenchman to see how long it is until his head is too on the Renault chopping block.

However, it might not even be that long as it's understood that Renault are already lining up Robert Kubica for a drive in 2010. Good luck Romain!

Williams block Schumacher test request

Michael Schumacher's bid to test drive Ferrari's current car has been blocked by Williams with the Oxfordshire based team citing that "consistency and fairness" with regard to rookie Jaime Alguersuari's arrival into the sport last month was a deciding factor.

Ferrari last week wrote to the FIA and the nine other teams taking part in this seasons Formula 1 world championship requesting that Schumacher be granted a day's testing at the wheel of Ferrari's F60 ahead of the seven time world champions return at the European Grand Prix at the end of the month.

Under current regulations, in-season testing is banned for all F1 teams, drivers and test drivers. However due to Schumacher's lack of test driving following a motor-cycle accident earlier this year, Ferrari were hoping for leniency towards the 40-year-old.

It looked as though things were going Ferrari's and Schumacher's way with the other seven F1 teams giving the green light for a test drive to go ahead.

However a statement from Williams today ended any chance of Schumacher getting into the cockpit of this seasons car until the Valencia race weekend.

"While we welcome Michael Schumacher back to Formula One, the fact is any form of in-season circuit testing is strictly prohibited, a regulation clearly laid out by the FIA and adhered to by all the teams"

"It was for this reason Alguersuari, did not have the oppertunity to familiarise himself with the Torro Rosso before he made his race debut"

"Williams sees no distinction between Alguersuari's situation and Schumacher's and feels any distinction from the rule would create a precedent for the future"

Schumacher will still be allowed to test in the 2007 model of the Ferrari in order to get his body reconditioned to the strains F1 driving demands, however the rest of the German's knowledge of this seasons F60 will have to be learnt in the simulator.

Despite this Schumacher will be returning to the grid without some key knowledge that has caused other teams and drivers problems this season, such as tire ware and how they react in different circumstances, the new aerodynamics of the car and the KERS button.

Will the seven-times world champion be able to get to grips with the new technology that offers an extra boost? Will he even need the extra speed?

Whats your opinion on this decision? Should Schumacher be allowed to test or should he be prepared to get on with it?

Personally, I wouldn't want to see any driver enter a sport that, in recent weeks has proven to be as dangerous as it is, unprepared. However given that Schumacher already has the experience of sixteen seasons under his belt and that rookie Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari participated in his first Formula 1 race last weekend without driving this season's Torro Rosso car, I do think that Williams have a point with their decision to block Ferrari's request.

Put it this way it would be more unfair on Alguersuari and Torro Rosso to allow Schumacher to test drive than the other way round.